Articles by Emily Harstone

Emily Harstone is the pen name of a published writer. Her work has been published in ten countries, four continents, by over fifty different journals. She is a professional submissions adviser and editor. If she owned a dog it would be named Wystan.

13 Approachable Literary Journals

If you are just starting to submit your work to literary journals, or perhaps you just want to avoid rejection, this list is for you. All of the literary journals in this list accept around half of what is submitted to them. So the odds of your work being accepted just went up. These are…
Special Issue

Maverick Children’s Books: Accepting Manuscripts

Maverick Children’s Books is a UK based publisher of children’s books. Their books generally have wonderful covers and illustrations, and are quirky. They publish a variety of books for children but only appear to be open to submissions in the picture book category. You can learn more about the team behind Maverick here. I do…
Children's Books Issue Two Hundred Thirty Manuscript Publishers

9 Literary Journals that Publish Longer Fiction

Most literary journals are only interested in publishing short stories that are up to 3,000 words in length. So it can be harder for someone who wrote a longer short story to place it in a good home, unless they are publishing a collection of short stories. The following literary journals are all open to…
Special Issue

Immedium: Now Accepting Book Submissions

Updated February 2025: While still technically open to submissions, they have not published a new book in over two years. Immedium was founded in 2004 and is led by experienced professionals, who have written critically acclaimed books, marketed print and digital media, and sold #1 nationwide best-sellers. Aquanauts, a series of books they published, was turned…
Children's Books Issue Two Hundred Twenty Nine Manuscript Publishers Non Fiction

Gibbs Smith: Now Accepting Book Submissions

Updated September 18th, 2025. Gibbs Smith is an established publisher with good distribution. They are open to submissions of nonfiction related to interior design, architecture, children’s, and cookbooks. They also accept submissions in the following subjects: arts and crafts, western humor with general appeal, general humor, and gift books. They also consider: children’s activity books, board books, and picture books. They have…
Children's Books Cookbooks Gift Books Issue Two Hundred Twenty Eight Manuscript Publishers Non Fiction Young Adult

20 Respected Literary Journals and Magazines that Publish Creative Writing

The literary journals and magazines on this list reject the vast majority of what is submitted to them. Sometimes authors’ works are rejected for years, decades even, before they receive an acceptance. But these literary journals are respected and trusted. Most have a large readership and good distribution in libraries and bookstores. Many of these…
Special Issue

Seven Books Every Writer Should Read

There are hundreds of books on writing that are out there. In fact as a young writer I received many of these as birthday gifts; some were extremely helpful,  others were just frustrating, and many are still sitting on a shelf in my parents’ house, unread. However, whether you are a poet, a fiction writer,…
Issue Two Hundred Twenty Seven Special Feature

10 Major Book Publishers Always Open to Submissions

Some publishers open and close their doors to submissions on a routine basis. It can be hard to determine if they are open or shut to submissions, and when you should submit. The following ten publishers, however, are always open to submissions from writers without agents or previous publishing experience. They are all respected publishers…
Special Issue

Dawn Publications: Now Accepting Book Manuscripts

UPDATED January 18th 2022: They seem to be completely absorbed by Source Books and do not seem to have their own identity outside of being part of Source Books larger children’s book catalog.  Dawn Publications is a boutique print press focused on publishing books connecting children and nature. They usually just publish six books a…
Children's Books Issue Two Hundred Twenty Six Manuscript Publishers

Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing: Accepting Submissions

UPDATED August 2024. Founded in 1911 and located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company is an independent publisher of religious books. They have a large range, including academic books and reference works in theology, biblical studies, and religious history to popular titles in spirituality, social and cultural criticism, as well as literature….
Academic Children's Books Christian Issue Two Hundred Twenty Five Manuscript Publishers

How to Start Getting Your Work Published in Literary Journals

‘The scariest moment is always just before you start. After that, things can only get better.’ Stephen King When I first started submitting my work to literary journals, each submission I made was a frustrating, time-consuming ordeal. I kept asking myself if each publication was the right fit for my poems. I kept wondering what…
Special Issue

August House: Accepting Manuscript Submissions

Updated July 23rd, 2024 August House was established in 1978, originally it focused on publishing poetry but in the 80’s their focus switched to folklore and after that to storytelling. They no longer publish poetry, instead they focus on publishing children’s books, although many of these are influenced by folklore. They currently publish children’s folktales,…
Children's Books Issue Two Hundred Twenty Four Manuscript Publishers

Why You Should Start Submitting This September

“I went for years not finishing anything. Because, of course, when you finish something you can be judged… I had poems which were re-written so many times I suspect it was just a way of avoiding sending them out.” Erica Jong Starting to submit your work to literary journals is a hard task.  Before you…
Issue One Hundred Twenty Three Issue Seventy-Five Issue Two Hundred Twenty Four Publishing Guides Special Feature

Douglas & McIntyre: Now Accepting Book Manuscript Submissions

Douglas & McIntyre is one of Canada’s pre-eminent independent publishers, with books that have won many national and international awards, including the Scotiabank Giller Prize and the Governor General’s Literary Award. They filed for bankruptcy a number of years ago. Harbour Publishing purchased Douglas & McIntyre at that point. They specialize in publishing respected nonfiction and…
Issue Two Hundred Twenty Three Issue Two Hundred Twenty Two Literary Fiction Manuscript Publishers Non Fiction

19 Science Fiction Manuscript Publishers that Accept Submissions (No Agent Required)

Last Updated April 2019 Most of these publishers are interested in Science Fiction and Fantasy. Some publish just one of these genres.  Others publish many genres and types of books, science fiction and fantasy just being one genre among many. Some are small companies, others are imprints of major publishing houses. They are not listed…
Fantasy Horror Manuscript Publishers Science Fiction Special Issue

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